Manuel Charr, How the Australian Museum is Leading the Charge on Climate Action and Sustainability, Museum Next, 7 February 2022
The Australian Museum (AM) is making waves in the museum sector with its bold and proactive approach to addressing the climate crisis. Through a blend of innovative exhibitions, sustainability initiatives, and engaging public programming, the institution is demonstrating how museums can play a central role in driving meaningful environmental action.
At the Green Museums Summit, Jenny Newell, Manager of Climate Change Projects, and Zehra Ahmed, Sustainability and Accessibility Projects Coordinator, spoke at the Green Museums Summit offering an insightful overview of how the Australian Museum has woven sustainability into its core mission. From carbon neutrality to impactful outreach programmes, the AM’s approach offers valuable lessons for cultural institutions worldwide.
A Commitment to Sustainability
The Australian Museum, located on Gadigal Country in Sydney, has long been a leader in science, research, and education. In recent years, however, the museum has placed a new focus on environmental stewardship. Central to this is its ambitious mission: to ignite wonder, inspire debate, and drive change, with climate action as a key pillar.
This commitment became formalised in 2018 with the creation of the museum’s first Sustainability Action Plan. Zehra Ahmed played a key role in developing this plan, which outlined clear goals for reducing energy consumption, waste, and emissions across the museum’s operations. These efforts bore fruit in 2020 when the Australian Museum became the first carbon-neutral museum in Australia.
Today, sustainability is not just a side project but an integrated part of the museum’s DNA. From energy-efficient lighting systems to comprehensive recycling programmes, every aspect of the AM’s day-to-day operations reflects its commitment to environmental responsibility.
Climate Solutions Centre: A Hub for Engagement
At the heart of the AM’s climate initiatives is the Climate Solutions Centre, launched in 2020. This dedicated hub aims to raise awareness about climate change, inspire action, and provide visitors with tangible pathways for contributing to a sustainable future.
Jenny Newell highlighted the centre’s focus on storytelling as a powerful tool for engagement. By sharing stories from scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, farmers, and everyday Australians, the centre brings the often-abstract issue of climate change to life. The emphasis is not just on the problems but also on solutions—whether it’s innovative technology, regenerative farming practices, or community resilience projects.
The centre has also prioritised accessibility and inclusivity in its programming. Digital resources, interactive exhibits, and multilingual content ensure that the message reaches a broad audience, breaking down barriers to engagement.
Future Now: Taking Climate Action Beyond Museum Walls
One of the Australian Museum’s most innovative outreach projects is the touring exhibition Future Now. Designed to reach audiences beyond the traditional museum space, this initiative takes climate education into shopping centres, libraries, and other community venues.
Future Now uses immersive dioramas to showcase sustainable living practices and climate solutions. From urban green spaces and renewable energy technologies to Indigenous land management techniques, the exhibition offers a vision of what a sustainable future could look like. Importantly, it focuses on practical steps individuals and communities can take to contribute to this vision.
What sets Future Now apart is its audience focus. Research conducted by the AM revealed that while many Australians are concerned about climate change, there are still significant segments of the population—termed the ‘climate cautious’ and the ‘climate disengaged’—who feel disconnected from the conversation. To address this, Future Now emphasises shared values such as saving money, creating safe spaces for families, and ensuring clean air and water. These relatable themes help bridge gaps and make the climate conversation more inclusive.
The exhibition’s success speaks for itself. During its tour of four Stockland shopping centres, Future Now reached an estimated 3 million visitors, with over 760,000 stopping to actively engage with the displays. Survey feedback indicated that 62% of visitors learned something new, demonstrating the power of meeting audiences where they are.
Changing Climate: Permanent Exhibition, Lasting Impact
Back at the Australian Museum, the permanent Changing Climate exhibition continues to serve as a cornerstone of the institution’s climate engagement efforts. This thoughtfully curated space explores how humans are changing the planet, the impacts on Australia’s ecosystems, and—crucially—what can be done to address these challenges.
The exhibition blends scientific research with personal stories, highlighting the contributions of Indigenous knowledge holders, marine biologists, farmers, and urban planners. Visitors are encouraged to see themselves as active participants in the fight against climate change, with interactive displays helping them understand their own environmental footprint.
Changing Climate is not about doom and gloom; instead, it offers hope and empowerment. By showcasing both challenges and solutions, it inspires visitors to see the collective potential for positive change.
Education and Outreach: Engaging Future Generations
Education is a critical component of the Australian Museum’s climate strategy. From school holiday workshops to curriculum-aligned teaching resources, the museum is working hard to equip younger generations with the knowledge and tools they need to make a difference.
Children, in particular, have emerged as powerful ambassadors for climate action. Jenny Newell noted that young visitors often act as teachers themselves, sharing what they’ve learned with their families and communities. This intergenerational approach ensures that the museum’s message extends far beyond its walls.
Lessons for the Sector
The Australian Museum’s work offers several key takeaways for other cultural institutions looking to embed sustainability into their operations and programming:
- Make Climate Action Central to Your Mission: Sustainability shouldn’t be an add-on; it needs to be part of the institution’s core values.
- Meet Audiences Where They Are: Whether through touring exhibitions or community outreach, take your message beyond the museum space.
- Focus on Solutions, Not Just Problems: Positive, actionable messages are far more effective than alarmism.
- Leverage Storytelling: Personal stories resonate deeply and can make complex issues more relatable.
- Prioritise Accessibility: Ensure that your climate programming is inclusive and available to diverse audiences.
A Call to Action for Museums Everywhere
Jenny Newell and Zehra Ahmed concluded their presentation with a clear call to action for museums worldwide: bring the climate conversation into your spaces, your programming, and your operations. Museums have the power to influence public opinion, inspire action, and create positive change.
The Australian Museum’s journey demonstrates that this is not just an aspiration but an achievable goal. With creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability, museums can lead the way in tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time.
For those looking to take the next step, the AM team encourages joining the Museums & Climate Change Network, an international community dedicated to advancing sustainability in the cultural sector.
As the Australian Museum continues its pioneering work, it sets an inspiring example of how museums can be not just observers of change, but active participants in shaping a better future for all.
